I'd love to see the solar panel theory scrubbed too but I'm still waiting on evidence before I start cutting leaves off.I'd love to see the "priceless solar panel" theory scrubbed. We already know that training encourages more colas and thereby a higher yield. Pruning does the same thing, by encouraging new growth. Those fan leaves might be priceless outdoors, protecting delicate flowers from direct afternoon sun, providing a large area for transpiration, and acting like a storage tank for the plan't nutrients.
However under controlled growing environments, that same fan leaf becomes a liability as it blocks precious light, takes from a plant's water and nute resources, yet the plant can thrive without it. I'd like to see 4 plants, 2 that undergo maintenance pruning and two left alone and never cut. It is obvious to me, at least, that the plant's getting shaping and excessive leaf removal will fare far better.
Just because training gives you more colas doesn't = higher yield.Where are the scientific tests to say that training encourages a bigger yield? I haven't found them and interested to see them. have you?
I would love to see a a controlled test as well. I'm surprised no one has done one yet because this is an interesting test.